Preston Britner

Professor

Human Development & Family Sciences

Preston A. Britner, Ph.D., is a developmental and community psychologist and professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut. His work focuses on preventing family and interpersonal violence, promoting positive outcomes for youth, particularly those involved in foster care, and strengthening community-based supports for vulnerable families. Dr. Britner’s research spans child maltreatment prevention, supportive housing for families involved in child welfare, youth mentoring, and child–parent attachment. He brings a long-standing commitment to addressing sexual and domestic violence, including co-chairing UConn’s 2009 campus-wide Metanoia on preventing violence against women and serving on the board of a local domestic violence organization. His scholarship and public engagement emphasize primary prevention, policy-relevant research, and translating evidence into practice. Dr. Britner is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and has received multiple awards for mentorship, teaching, and public engagement. He is also Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Prevention and has contributed extensively to research on family violence, child development, and community-based interventions.